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Get out into the great outdoors of the Berkshires with a visit to Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. The 1,142 acre reserve includes a large beaver pond, 7 miles of trails through a variety of habitats, and plenty of wildlife.

Soak up the natural beauty of the Berkshires with a visit to the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. This nearly 13 mile long, converted railroad track runs from Adams, MA through Cheshire, to Lanesborough, with plenty of lush scenery and wildlife throughout.

The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail started out as an extension of the Housatonic Railroad in 1845. The line served the area for nearly 150 years before shutting down in 1990. A successful campaign for the track’s conversion to a multi-use trail began shortly thereafter and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail was born.

Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook) is a Native American word for “the pleasant river in between the hills” and a very appropriate name.

The trail runs along the Hoosic River, between the Mount Greylock and the Hoosac Mountain Ranges, parallel to Route 8. Its’ course takes it past the shores of the Cheshire Reservoir, Berkshire Pond, and a variety of wetlands teeming with waterfowl and other wildlife.

If you’re a “leaf-peeper,” or just a fan of stunning scenery, October is the peak month for viewing Berkshires fall foliage in western Massachusetts. Make plans to visit now, while the everchanging rainbow of autumn leaves is still up in the trees.

There is never a bad time to visit the Berkshires of Western MA but, when it comes to colorful views, you could pick a worse time than Autumn. The leaf-peeping season begins here in late September and tends to peak during mid-October, around Columbus Day weekend. That’s when our always picturesque landscape bursts to life with color. Reds, golds, oranges, browns, greens and all the tones in between.

Lucky for you, Applegate Inn is right in the middle of some of the area’s most gorgeous country. That’s the thing about the Berkshires. You don’t have to go anywhere to find beautiful fall foliage – it’s all around you!

If you’re up for a drive, however, the area offers endless possibilities.

For those considering a visit to the Mount Greylock area during their stay, we suggest a stop by Greylock Glen, a new kind of outdoor recreation area in Adams, MA.

Mount Greylock is Massachusetts’ highest peak, with a summit of 3489 feet. The eye-popping vista from this point can reach as far as 90 miles away. The summit is an understandably popular destination, reachable by car in less than an hour from our Lee MA inn.

Greylock Glen is a 1,063 acre parcel of land just east of Mount Greylock. The acreage has seen a variety of development projects over the last decade or so but none successful – and none like this.

A Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Area

Where previous plans seemed in conflict with the natural environment, Greylock Glen is actively working with nature to minimize its impact.

Over 1,000 acres of the Glen will remain undeveloped. Plans for lodging, recreation, and education facilities will use up about half of the remaining acres. These plans incorporate green building designs, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable operating plans.

Outdoor Recreation at the Glen

The reserve offers a wide range of hiking, biking, and picnicking opportunities. Birdwatchers and other wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to remember their binoculars and cameras.

In the colder months, Greylock is a popular destination for ice skaters, snowshoers, skiers, and snowboarders.

There’s simply no end of things to do at Greylock Glen, whether you’re looking for a real workout or just a pleasant outing.

More Than Just Trails

Plans for a future Outdoor Center detail a net-zero building with classrooms, a retail outdoor gear shop, and a cafe. The Amphitheater will host concerts, plays, festivals, and many other exciting cultural events.

Berkshires Lodging

After a day of exploring the natural beauty of the Glen, you’ll be glad you’re headed back to the comforts of your room at our Berkshires bed and breakfast. Our inn is a Select Registry property offering luxurious accommodations including private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs to soothe away any aches and pains. Applegate Inn is a Gilded Age inn ensconced on 6 park-like acres located just a half mile’s walk from historic downtown Lee. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today.

October is here and the scenery is bursting with color. When it comes to leaf peeping, nothing beats the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Now is the time to come and enjoy the best of the Berkshires fall foliage!

October is THE month for viewing the peak fall foliage here in western Massachusetts. The Berkshires fall foliage season begins late September and typically peaks during mid-October, Columbus Day weekend.

If you’ve a love for forested backdrops of crimson, yellow, russet, and all tones in between, a Berkshires fall foliage trip is for you! Luckily, Applegate Inn is at the epicenter of some of the most striking autumn vistas around. It’s a simple thing to plan a lovely little drive or day trip from our Berkshires B&B for some gallery-hopping, antiquing, and lots of great leaf peeping!

The fall foliage in Massachusetts peaks in October and draws many visitors. Fall foliage trips are a popular activity around this time of year and we hope that for your 2012 fall foliage tour you will pick our Berkshires bed and breakfast as your premier lodging choice.

Autumn Foliage Maps

Enjoy the stunning colors of fall in the Berkshires.

The state’s official Tourism site has a useful map describing foliage peak conditions in different areas of Massachusetts. The map indicates the Berkshires will be at peak color during the third week of October, and the eastern portion of the state by Nov. 6.

Berkshire Foliage Colors via Hike and Bike

Immerse yourself in the warm hues of fall! A favorite way to do this is via hiking, biking or running. There are a variety of organized excursions and independent treks to visit the fall foliage. Here are a few:

Running Routes: Stunning routes through the small towns of Lenox, Great Barrington, Williamstown and Stockbridge will give you a chance to take your time observing the changing leaves. For something more rural, try going up onto Mount Greylock and over the Mohawk Trail, the same foot path Native Americans used centuries ago.

Berkshire Foliage Driving Tours

The Mohawk Trail Association offers five suggested driving tours in western Massachusetts that are perfect for observing foliage in Berkshires, Massachusetts.

Driving routes for observing fall foliage in the Berkshires.

Tour 1: Mount Greylock (26 miles)
On a clear day, Mount Greylock can provide wide views of scenic Massachusetts. Greylock is Massachusetts’ highest peak, at 3491 feet. Allow half a day for this tour. This route starts one mile north of Lanesborough on Route 7.

Tour 2: Mohawk Trail, Savoy State Forest (55 miles)
Williamstown, the home of Williams College, is the starting place for this foliage tour. This route covers most of the outstanding features in northern section of Berkshire County.

Tour 3: Mount Greylock / North Berkshire (33 miles)
This tour of scenic northern Berkshire County is on the western edge of the Mohawk Trail and starts in North Adams at City Hall at Route 8 and Marshall Street.

Tour 4: North Berkshire / Mohawk Trail (53 miles)
This scenic tour brings you north on Route 7 to The Mohawk Trail. Starting in Pittsfield, take Route 7 to Lanesborogh. Continue north on Route 7 to South Williamstown to the historic five corners. Here several walking tours to historic houses are available.

Tour 5: Mohawk Trail / Pioneer Valley (55 miles)
This tour begins in Greenfield at the eastern part of the Mohawk Trail. Watch an early sunrise from the Poet’s Seat Tower by driving east on Main Street to High Street, then follow the signs to the Tower. Return to Main Street, Route 2A, go west and turn left on Route 5 which takes you through the meadowlands of the Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers, site of the Deerfield Massacre in 1704.

Quite a few guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast come here in order to be closer to nature. Many live in Boston, New York City, and Hartford. They crave the outdoors, the fresh air, the quiet, and they find it in the Berkshires.

A favorite activity is hiking, which can accommodate most all fitness levels. Intrepid hikers can summit the tallest peak in the region, Mount Greylock. Folks looking for more of an amble through the woods may prefer the Tranquility Trail in the Pittsfield State Forest, a gentle, half-mile trail through deciduous forest and hemlock stands.

Hikes in Western Massachusetts are plentiful. A few favorites are listed below:

Monument Mountain, just south of Stockbridge. Herman Melville spent many hours exploring Monument Mountain, sometimes with his friend Nathaniel Hawthorne. Conversations during those hikes helped inspire Melville’s great opus, Moby Dick. Just think what a hike here could bring out in you. There are three miles of trails around Monument Mountain. If you make it to the top of Squaw Peak, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views.

Schermerhorn Gorge Trail in October Mountain State Forest. This 3.7-mile loop features some dramatic contrasts that make it truly lovely. It is considered difficult thanks to a few tricky and steep spots, though it only gains about 600 feet in elevation.

The Benedict Pond Loop, in the Beartown Forest. This 1.5-mile loop is pleasant any time of year. For the most part, it hugs the coast of the shallow Benedict Pond and gains little elevation. The trail can be a bit moist in areas, but the landscape is lovely.

The Appalachian Trail. The AT passes close to our Berkshires Inn, and some of our guests simply must get their feet on it. We understand, and we help many guests realize that dream. Since the Appalachian Trail is best done one-way, we help drop a car at one trail head and shuttle guests to another one.

At the end of the day, no matter how long the hike or how strenuous, we invite our guests to relax with wine and cheese in our parlor. It is a reward well earned.

The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail meanders through the Hoosic River Valley between Mount Greylock and the Hoosac Mountains. Ashuwillticook means “the pleasant river between the hills”, and the ride does indeed pass through some very lovely country. It has been enjoyed by many guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.

Relax by the pool after a day of biking the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.

The trail runs just over 11 miles between the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough and the Visitor’s Center in Adams. Cyclists pass Chester Reservoir (a good spot for bird watching and picnics), forests, and historic mill buildings on the other side of the Hoosic River. In Adams, the trail runs parallel to Main Street, where there are many good eateries and shops.

For a longer ride, cycle from our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast in Lee, approximately 16 miles south of Lanesborough. You’ll find a dip in our pool and our wine and cheese hour extremely satisfying in the evening.

Herman Melville, author of the American classic Moby-Dick (among others), spent his early childhood in the high society of New York City and his adolescence living less affluently in Albany, NY. His first visit to the farm in Pittsfield that was purchased by his grandfather was in 1832, when Herman Melville was just thirteen. His reaction was immediate and strong – he loved the farm and the land on which it stood.

The beauty of the Berkshires, particularly the view of Mount Greylock from the family farm, eventually inspired Melville to move to the region permanently. In 1850, he purchased a neighboring farm that enjoyed the same views of Mount Greylock and moved there with his wife and his young son. They named their homestead Arrowhead after the Native American arrowheads found in the fields, and resided in the 1783 farmhouse for thirteen years. Many of his finest works, including Moby-Dick, were penned in the second-floor library at Arrowhead.

Arrowhead remained in the Melville family until 1927. It was purchased by the Berkshire Historical Society in 1975; restoration of the farm buildings began shortly thereafter, and continues to this day. Arrowhead houses an extensive collection of Melville manuscripts along with other items overseen by the Berkshire Historical Society.

Arrowhead is open to the public daily between Memorial Day and October, and for several special events throughout the year. One such event takes place this weekend and next weekend, February 12, 13 and February 18 – 20, 2011: the Candlelight and Chocolate Tours. This is a wonderful activity for guests of our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.

You can hear the Berkshires calling to you from Boston, Hartford, and NYC. Your legs are yearning to stretch out along a trail. You want to hear birds, not traffic.

It’s time to take a break from city living. Come to our Lee bed and breakfast for a few days. There are many trails nearby, just waiting for you. You may also want to drive 20 miles north of Lenox to Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. From the top, you’ll feel your spirit soar.